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Draft Preferred Alternative

UPDATE: The draft preferred alternative was presented and discussed at the 3rd community meeting that took place on December 1, 2016. The planning team is in the process of revising the draft alternative, and anticipates that the draft master plan report will be released during Spring 2017.

Black Pot Beach Park is a dynamic and important recreation hub for both residents and visitors. The existing beach park, which is approximately 2.5 acres in size, would be expanded to more than 11 acres upon acquisition/final transfer of several adjacent parcels of land.

The purpose of the master plan for Black Pot Beach Park is to chart a framework for the park’s expansion and use that will guide improvements over the next 20+ years. The plan focuses on physical improvements, or brick-and-mortar projects. These include facilities such as new bathrooms and showers, a public boat ramp, camping areas, a new canoe halau, parking and walkways with designated drop-off areas, landscaping improvements, pavilions and park signage, and utility system upgrades.

Discussion regarding parking on the beach will be considered by the Kauai County Council. The master plan is neutral and does not allow or prohibit access to the beach for parking.

DRAFT PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE PLAN

The Draft Preferred Alternative Plan was prepared in response to community input received through the July 2016 community meeting and the community questionnaire/on-line survey. The two alternative plans and information about the previous community meetings and questionnaire are also posted on the project website.

Proposed elements of the draft preferred alternative are highlighted.

BOAT LAUNCH

A public boat ramp facility with boat washdown rack and 18 boat trailer parking spaces is proposed in the mauka portion of the park. This would utilize the existing ramp and require that the County acquire a “triangle” portion of privately-owned land.

Weke Ramp is designated for kayaks and small vessel launching.

PARKING AND CIRCULATION

A circular entry feature to announce the park entrance and a designated drop-off area is situated near the main driveway. A secondary drop off area is makai of Weke Ramp.

Parking consists of two paved parking areas and one mauka overflow parking area (157 parking stalls + 60 overflow stalls). The mauka overflow parking area would be opened for general use, although it primarily serves peak periods such as special events and long weekends. Paved walkways connect the parking and drop-off areas to the beach. Speed bumps control traffic speeds in the paved parking lots.

Pending guidance from the County Council on the county ordinance for driving on the beach, the master plan is neutral and does not take a position to allow or prohibit access to beach parking.

BATHROOMS AND CAMPING AREAS

Two new bathrooms are proposed. A larger bathroom with indoor changing rooms proposed to replace the existing bathroom is sited away from the main park entry. A second bathroom in the mauka portion of the park is for campers and boat ramp users.

Two areas for designated camping sites are proposed: one within the makai portion of the park alongside the river, and another mauka of Weke Ramp. DPR’s rules currently allow for up to 50 campers per night on Fridays, Saturdays, and one extra night on holiday weekends; no change in the current number of campers is proposed.

CANOE HALAU

A public canoe halau is identified in the mauka portion of the park. While the intent is to provide space for an existing canoe club, development and use of this facility will require negotiations with the County to satisfy the necessary agreements.

LANDSCAPING, PARK AMENITIES AND SIGNAGE

Landscaping features, including new trees, landscaped parking areas and bioswales, support the use of native plant species and help with drainage. Removal of the ironwood trees along the shoreline promote natural shoreline processes.

Park amenities, such as pavilions and park benches, provide comfortable picnic and sitting areas for park users. These would be placed throughout the park in places where convenient for people to gather.

Consistent and uniform signs that give direction for circulation and appropriate park users’ behavior, as well as interpretive/educational signs (e.g., information about the history of the area, environmental qualities, wildlife) will be described in the master plan report.